Mt. Ruapehu

Today we visited the largest active volcano in NZ, Mt Ruapehu. It's located in Tongariro National Park and is the highest point on the North Island. There is a popular ski field, so we hoped on a gondola to get up close.

We booked in at the buffet restaurant (come for the views, don't stay for the food). Despite OK food (expected), we stuffed our faces like we hadn't eaten in weeks.

"Best Day of My Life"

Then it was off for some hiking and exploring up & down the rocks. Sadie was like a mountain goat, bouncing up the volcanic rocks. At one point, she told me, "even if I'm nervous, I just tell myself - Sadie you can do this. And then I can!" That's Sadie for you these days, spewing positivity.

Sadie also spent time teaching us all about the type of rocks; she had learned an impressive amount in her last term at school on the subject. We were seriously impressed and she was puffing her chest like a peacock, proud to be sharing what she had learned.

At one point Sadie proclaimed it was the "best day of her life".